Ford Motor Company's Commitment to NABA's Mission. (written by:  Steve Larson, Ford Motor Company and Tiyosaye Director)

Successful communities find ways to create wealth. A community can be geographic location (town or city) or an identifiable group of people. One of the traditional ways a community achieves economic empowerment is by circulating dollars that come into their community multiple times before the dollars leave. They buy and sell from each other. Successful communities view wealth creation as generational. They encourage their children to go into business for themselves and they and their community buy from them. Their role models are successful businessmen and women.

This is a workable economic model for any group that shares a cultural identity and holds community values in common. This is one of the reasons that the Native American Business Alliance was formed and where its greatest strength lies. The word Alliance means "A close association formed to advance common interests or causes". In our case, the common interest is Business and the close association is Native Americans.

NABA's corporate sponsors like Ford Motor Company, are committed to do their part. Ford pays dues and sponsors events so that NABA can advocate for economic development opportunities on behalf of Native American businesses. Ford's Supplier Diversity Development Program welcomes meetings and sales calls from NABA members. Most importantly, Ford buys goods and services from Native owned companies. In return for these efforts, we have one important expectation: that Native American-owned businesses do for each other what you expect Ford to do for you. We expect Native American businesses to support and to buy from each other.

What actions can you take today that will make a difference? Start by looking at what you buy and who you buy it from. Do you have a Native American printer? Do you buy promotional material from a Native owned business? Is there a Native owned landscaping company in your area? Is there something you buy today that you can ask a Native owned business to bid on? NABA is a resource you should be using to find Native owned businesses. The past is gone, the future isn't here yet. Start supporting Native businesses and ask Native businesses to support you.

Start today!